Source: Peace Ezenwamma
In a groundbreaking push to protect millions of vulnerable children from preventable diseases, Save the Children’s Immunisation Accelerator, backed by a $1 million grant from GSK, has launched its second round of applications aimed at combating the persistent challenge of zero-dose children—those who have never received a routine vaccine.
According to recent estimates, over 2.1 million children in Nigeria and nearly one million in Ethiopia fall into this high-risk category, leaving them exposed to deadly but preventable diseases like measles, polio, and cholera.
Calling All Innovators: Local Solutions Wanted
With an urgent call to action, Save the Children is inviting proposals from across the innovation spectrum—grassroots NGOs, academic researchers, social enterprises, and tech startups—to submit locally relevant, scalable solutions that can break through the barriers to vaccine access.
Selected projects will each receive up to $100,000 in funding, alongside tailored technical support and the opportunity to pilot their innovations within active Save the Children-led vaccination programs.
“As conflicts, climate change, and other global challenges increasingly disrupt immunisation efforts, it’s clear we need bold, local approaches,” said Ermias Teshome, Immunisation Accelerator Lead at Save the Children.
“We’re looking for context-driven innovations that push boundaries and protect every child’s right to health.”
Proven Impact and Growing Momentum
The program’s first round already yielded promising results. HABTech Solutions PLC, an Ethiopia-based company, was awarded nearly $100,000 to develop a digital platform that uses data analytics to enhance decision-making around immunisation gaps. Their approach is now seen as a model for integrating tech with grassroots health efforts.
Thomas Breuer, Chief Global Health Officer at GSK, highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative:
“The Accelerator is already generating promising solutions with the power to transform childhood health outcomes—not just in Nigeria and Ethiopia, but globally. Empowering local actors is key.”
A Path Toward Health Equity
By seeking out bold, community-rooted solutions, the Immunisation Accelerator is not just about vaccines—it’s about tackling inequity, boosting local capacity, and building resilient healthcare systems in regions where every single dose can be the difference between life and death.
Applications are now open, and successful ideas will be embedded into real-world vaccination campaigns, aiming to reduce the zero-dose burden and safeguard the future of millions of children.
🧠 Key Takeaway:
Innovation, equity, and local leadership are at the heart of this mission. With the right support, every child—no matter where they’re born—can get the life-saving protection they deserve.
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